Southern Myanmar

Myeik City and Myeik Archipelago

Myeik (Megui) is situated in the southern region of Myanmar. It is a busy port town and center for the fishing, pearls, rice, dried fish and bird’s nests.

The archipelago is comprised more than 800 pristine islands varying in size and local communities. It is located in the far south of region, lying in the Andaman Sea. It is renowned for its crystal clear water, pristine white-sanded beaches diverse marine life. This is heaven for nature lovers and those looking for a relaxing holiday.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Air

There are daily flights from Yangon to Dawei, Myeik and Kaw Thaung airports.

By Sea

There is daily express coastal boat service between Dawei, Myeik and Kaw Thaung. Myoma Jetty in Kaw Thaung is a main jetty for transportation. It is a frontier checkpoint and border entry from Thailand.

By Land

There are daily express buses from Yangon to Kaw Thaung, via Dawei and Myeik. Htee Khee, checkpoint on the Myanmar-Thailand border, is about 100 miles east of Dawei and was inaugurated in 2013 as international gateway.

ATTRACTIONS

Myeik & Islands of Myeik Archipelago

Birds’ Nest Cave

There are cliffs and marble lagoons around Myeik Archipelago. Precious nests of swift birds dwell around these cliffs and marble lagoons. These birds are a very important national icon and a beautiful sight to see.

Pearl Farming

This area is renowned for its uniquely beautiful pearls. Natural pearl harvesting has been prominent in this region since 1891. In 1995, pearl cultivation was introduced and is widely produced by local and foreign companies. The Myeik region produce some of the finest quality and highest valued pearls in the world.

Salon Villages (Sea Gypsy Villages (or Moken Villages)

The Salon people, who are also called Sea Gypsy or Moken, live on small boats around the Myeik Archipelago. They are known for their ability to dive underwater without modern apparatuses. They made their living by diving for pearls and looking for sea products.

Islands Of Myeik Archipelago

Cook Comb Island

It is situated at the south west of Kaw Thaung and a four hour journey by boat. Many sharks and lobsters can be found in abundance here. This is an ideal location for snorkeling when the tide recedes.

Western Rocky

Western Rocky is one of the most famous sites in Myanmar for scuba diving. It is situated at the west of Kaw Thaung. Divers can observe beautiful coral reefs and many kinds of marine life such as whales, sharks, sting rays and dolphins.

Macleod Island (Kha Yin Gwa Island)

Macleod Island is an unspoiled island with white-sanded beaches and crystal clear water in the Myeik Archipelago. It is also a prime location for snorkeling, diving, sea kayaking, fishing and bird watching. It also has good trekking and jungle safaris. Tourists can stay at the Andaman Resort which has small sea side bungalows.

Lampi Island

Lampi Island is the most famous island in the Myeik Archipelago. It is one of the largest and has been designated as a National park. The island boasts various kinds of flora and fauna. There are also magnificent mangrove forests on the islands.

Island 115

Island 115 is located 39 miles from Kaw Thaung. This island is home to many lizards, snakes and bird’s nest cave. It is great location for snorkeling and kayaking.

Nyaung Wee Island

Nyaung Wee Islands is north of island 115. A group of sea gypsies settle here to avoid south west and north east monsoon winds. A river in the northern part of Nyaung Wee is a great spot for bird watchers and wild life explorers.

Bo Cho Island

Bo Cho Island is situated at the south of Lampi Island and has a major settlement of Salon people during the monsoon season. This island also boasts a mile long sandbank and scenic views overlooking the village at the pagoda located on the hill.

Mway Daw Island

Mway Daw Island, border river of Myanmar and Thailand, is situated at the mouth of Parcharn river. Immigration and custom check points are on the northern part of the island.

THINGS TO DO

Yachting Tours

The yachting tours are operating in only peak season around the islands of Myeik Archipelago. With the prior permissions and accompanied by Ministry’s guides, the yacht tours usually operate based on 5 days 4 nights program.

KAW THAUNG

Kaw Thaung is the southern most town and one of the entry ports of Myanmar for visitors from Thailand. Across the river is the border town of Ranong in Thailand.

Baying Naung Point (Victoria Point)

Bayint Naung Point is situated at the southern most part of Myanmar. During the British colonial period, this point was named Queen Victoria. In the 1990s, it was renamed to Bayint Naung Point. It is just a seven minutes walk from downtown and one of the best views of Kaw Thaung.

Ngar Thone Lone Hill (Triple Five Hill)

Ngar Thone Lone Hill is centrally located in Kaw Thaung and has a height of 555 ft above the sea level. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views of the entire city at the viewpoint on the top of this hill.

Shwepyi Thar Pagoda and Museum

Shwepyi Thar Pagoda and Museum is about 10 km away from Kaw Thaung. It is a replica of Ananda Temple from Bagan. Pagoda Museum, the only museum of Kaw Thaung, displays counting beads and animal shells such as whale bones, turtle shells and other interesting findings from the sea.

Pa Lone Tone Tone Beach

Pa Lone Tone Tone Beach is the closest beach to Kaw Thaung. It is located 11 km from Kaw Thaung. This is a great location for a relaxing family beach holiday whilst observing local fishermen’ lives. Pa lone tone tone bridge is the longest wooden bridge in Taninthayi Division and connects Pa Lone Tone Tone Island with the mainland.

Maliwan Waterfall and Hot Spring

Maliwan waterfall is 40km away from Kaw Thaung. Maliwan Hot Springs are located five miles from the waterfall. The natural hot water is channeled from the hot springs to a bathing unit through a piping system. The scenery around this area is breathtaking.

DAWEI

Dawei, the capital of Tanintharyi Division, is a tropical seaside town, dotted with famous historical pagodas and can be accessed by all means of transportation. The Special Economic Zone Project is near Dawei city and Dawei region serves as the southern economic corridor of Greater Mekong Sub-region.

Shin Mokhti Pagoda

One of the revered pagodas, many local people pays homage here. This pagoda is believed to have been built over 600 years ago and is located a few kilometers south of Dawei.

Shwe Tha Lyaung Daw Mu Buddha Image

Shwe Tha Lyaung Daw Mu Buddha statue is situated at the edge of Dawei about 5 km from the central Strand Road market. It was completed in 1931 and 74m long and 21m high.

Maung Ma Kan Beach

Maung Ma Kan Beach is situated in a beautiful setting of hills rising up from the shoreline and 19 km from Dawei City. A half an hour walk down the beach will take you to a lovely fishing village with small boats nestled in its harbor.